truenoobhere
@ameritech.net
| noob question
Hi all,
A true noob question for all you tech geeks.
Like many (most?) of you, I store personal info on my PC (pics, documents, tax info, etc). They are all stored in a single folder on my desktop. My concern, of course, is internet privacy. My current home setup is as follows: 2 PC's wired to a Linksys router (default settings on router). Both PC's have Avast AV installed, and both PC's have Windows Firewall on.
The question is this: is there any way for someone to obtain the info in this desktop folder via the internet? I avoid the obvious junk websites that might invite trouble, but there are several other people (teens) using both my PC as well as the other one, and who knows where they might visit. I'm not concerned with anything else on the PC being compromised, just this particular folder. Would password-protecting this folder "solve" the problem?
Any help is much appreciated.
BTW, great forum here.
Oh yeah, I did try using the search feature, couldn't seem to come up with the right wording to find an answer. |
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Scoobs72
join:2004-01-15
| There's probably several ways you can secure this folder, or rather the contents of the folder. I can think of 2:
1. Use some form of encryption e.g. truecrypt
2. Use Defensewall and mark the folder as "Secured". That way no untrusted processes can get access to it. |
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Caution
@verizon.net
| reply to truenoobhere
You may fair much better by purchasing an external harddrive for storage of you personal files, it would be well worth the expense.
In your own words you are a NoBe. By the time it would take to learn how to properly secure the computer your personal information may not be so personal anymore. |
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Barb4444
Premium
join:2008-02-23
Knox, IN
 ·Embarq
1 edit |  reply to truenoobhere
Hi, I'm also new and can't find current threads about how safe Roboform is.
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
I'm also new Roboform user and am concerned with how safe their encryption is. One of their support technicians told me it is nearly impossible to hack/crack software, is this true?
Any tips, tricks and up-to-date tutorials as to how I should set my preferences for this software will be appreciated.
Thanks |
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truenoobhere
@ameritech.net | reply to Caution
Thanks for the info. I should have also stated that I use Carbonite to backup this folder. IIRC, Carbonite does not work with external drives. |
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onDvine
Premium
join:2005-01-29
So. CA, USA
clubs:
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Caution
said by truenoobhere :
... A true noob question ... said by Caution :
... In your own words you are a NoBe. ... O/T: Technically, the O/P referred to him/herself as a "noob," not a "NoBe." Spelling and capitalization matter when citing somebody else's "own words." 
--
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. ▪Erin Majors |
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NanDog
The Pup Was Female, I'M Not
Premium
join:2003-12-28
Tacoma, WA
·Rainier Connect fr..
| reply to Barb4444
Hey, Barb4444, Roboform is a very popular password manager program. You can see the results of this DSLR poll: »[POLL] Encryption/Password Software - 2008 Member Choice
Although I personally use KeePass, Roboform shouldn't disappoint you. The Roboform tutorial is here: »www.roboform.com/tutorials.html
--
See ya across the Rainbow Bridge, my good and faithful friend! |
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The Snowman
Premium
join:2007-05-20 | reply to truenoobhere
Soooooooooooo, you are more concern about using Carbonite than you are in maintaining your Privacy. That pretty much ends the discussion.
There are many programs that do backup to External HardDisc. |
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AB
Premium
join:2006-04-04
Leesburg, VA
| reply to truenoobhere
said by truenoobhere :
. . Would password-protecting this folder "solve" the problem? Yes, assuming it's a 'good' password. (Your name or birthday, etc. are not 'good ones').
Better yet, password-protect the TrueCrypt volume you create on your machine to store that folder in.
»www.truecrypt.org/ |
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NanDog
The Pup Was Female, I'M Not
Premium
join:2003-12-28
Tacoma, WA | reply to truenoobhere
Along with all the other info, consider running the "teens" (and perhaps even you) with restricted accounts.
--
See ya across the Rainbow Bridge, my good and faithful friend! |
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truenoobhere
@ameritech.net
| reply to The Snowman
said by The Snowman  : Soooooooooooo, you are more concern about using Carbonite than you are in maintaining your Privacy. That pretty much ends the discussion. There are many programs that do backup to External HardDisc. I assume you are not on BBR's Diplomatic committee. |
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The Snowman
Premium
join:2007-05-20
·Verizon Online DSL
1 edit |
Diplomacy is something you may find at the United Nations. BBR Security is about Security. However, to ease your injured feelings......no, I was not even slightly attempting to be rude.
Computers are machines without emotions. An there are times when a computer user needs to adjust to meet a new requirement. Its just plain foolish to have an emotional attachment to any computer program. Replace the program if need be.
You have been offered some good suggestions. The catch being that you will still need to make added effort to employ those suggestions. Are there other ways.....yes, of course But what use would be suggesting those other ways if you are emotionally attached to that one program ? An I would not be doing you a Service by not pointing that out to you. You mistook my kindness and honesty as rudeness.
You are entering a new area. When dealing with encryption. An its so ease to lock yourself out of a folder.
Due to your lack of experience you will need something simple yet secure. An while you were thinking up your reply to me I was out looking for a program for you. Oh well. |
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The Snowman
Premium
join:2007-05-20
1 edit | reply to truenoobhere
Link to program removed |
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